Here at Cat Scratch Reader we have counted down the final 100 days leading up to the Carolina Panthers season opener by for at least the past ten years. We’ve always done this by highlighting the current player on the roster whose jersey number matches the day on the countdown. This year, we decided to change that up a bit by counting down our own list of the Top 100 Panthers of all time. This does not correspond to jersey number, does not need to be somebody who wore a jersey, and will in no way be controversial.
#18. Chris Gamble
After a surprisingly dominant 2003 season, the Carolina Panthers used the 28th overall pick in the 2004 Draft to take cornerback Chris Gamble out of Ohio State. That selection started one of the most understated dominant careers that I can think of. Gamble immediately started for the Panthers as a rookie and totaled 75 tackles, six interceptions, 14 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Despite that insane stat line, he got zero votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year. 2005 was arguably his best statistical season, snagging a career high seven interceptions including one returned for a touchdown.
It was 2008 that really cemented Gamble’s greatness despite being overshadowed by players like Darrelle Revis and Antoine Winfield. That year, Gamble was an advanced stats darling, only allowing 51.3% completion percentage against and a paltry 58.4 opponent passer rating when targeted. The Panthers front office didn’t overlook Gamble, rewarding him with a six year, $53.5 million contract extension that November.
Like so many other Panthers, 2010 was rough for Gamble. A high ankle sprain caused him to miss several games, and he was held without an interception for the first time in his career. He bounced back in 2011, his health allowing him to return to being one of the most feared corners in the league. In fact, Gamble led the NFL in 2011 in target rate, with opposing QBs only testing him on 9.1% of drop backs. When they did try him, they only managed a passer rating of 61.2, so he was avoided with good reason. Unfortunately for Gamble and the Panthers, 2012 would be his final NFL season. He suffered a torn labrum and was not able to get back to full strength. On the wrong side of 30 at the time, he decided to retire when the Panthers released him following the season for cap purposes.
Despite being avoided by other teams, Gamble never received any annual awards during his career. No Pro Bowls, no All-Pro nods, no DPOY votes, nothing. His lunch pail mentality on and off the field led him to be overlooked by the media and fans in favor of flashier players and personalities. But he still went to work and was still damn good at his job. He is the Panthers all time leader in career interceptions, leading the team six times in his nine year career. That longevity also lands him at the top of the list for career starts at cornerback for the Panthers and third in total tackles by a defensive back. While he was an afterthought for the national media and fanbases, those who played against him knew that throwing to his side of the field was always a Gamble. And that lands him at No. 18 on our countdown.
